An effective method for 3D geological modeling with multi-source data integration

Abstract

The existing 3D geological modeling systems rely heavily on large numbers of borehole and cross-section data. However, it is well known that the available geological data are generally sparse and undersampled. In this paper, we propose a stepwise refinement method for 3D modeling with multi-source data integration. The method can naturally simulate geological structures no matter whether the available geological data are sufficient or not. By stepwise refinement on multiple data, the method increases the accuracy of 3D models gradually and effectively. In addition, the mechanisms used in the method for organizing and manipulating information can have an equally important impact upon geologists’ thought, the interpretation of geological data, and 3D modeling methodology. A concrete example of using the method to Huai Bei fault and fold belt shows that the method can be applied to broad and complex geological areas.